WTF? They're dropping like flies!!

[chickenkerri]

Long story short - 35 Silkie chicks arrived on Wed. morning ALL ALIVE. Since then I've had five deaths and some don't look so good. A couple of them look like they're having seizures? Head shaking, unable to stand, etc. I've raised chicks before so I'm doing all the right basic things. What could be happening?

 

[speckledhen]

Could be they had a rough trip. Silkies are susceptible to head trauma. There was a huge case of avian encephalomyelitis in some shipped chicks last year that presented itself sort of like that, but hard to say, really. Shipping is very hard on them.

 

[chickenkerri]

I'm getting 7 more chicks today. Should I keep the new one separated?

 

[jhm47]

Keep them separated. Feed the 7 new ones first, and then the old ones. If you can, use rubber gloves when feeding the new ones, and use different clothes when feeding them.

 

[sugarbush]

Call Monroe Fuchs at ideal and let him know of your problem. His extention is 5561.

They need to be informed of issues like this so they can determine the source.

 

[gallo34]

How old...on the day you got them?

The "look like they're having seizures" does it seem more like the chills or shivers?

When shaking head...does it seems like they are sneezing (or trying to)?

Just "unable to stand" or falling over also?

Do the legs feel warm to the touch?

Hold one of the questionable ones...chest to your ear...do you hear anything not "normal"?